Draft gear



Nov. 9., 1926.

C. J. HOLLAND DRAFT GEAR Filed Jan. 2, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 9

C. J. HOLLAND DRAFT GEAR Filed Jan.- 2, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 www .5

grt/veure? C. J. HOLLAND DRAFT GEAR Filed Jan. 2, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patent-ed Nov, il?, 192%,

MhllTE STATi DRAFT GEAR.

Application led January 2, 1924. Serial .No/683,949.

The invention relates to shock absorbing mechanism, and more particularly to that type designed for use in connection with railway car draft rigging.

@ne of the principal objects of the invention, broadly stated, is to provide a shock absorbing unit which can be readily positioned within the limits prescribed in car construction, said unit involving a series of friction elements arranged to permit of relatively long travel of the gear with a resulting increase of exceedingly high shock absorbing capacity.

Particularly stated, the invention has for one of its principal objects the provision of a friction draft gear including a plurality of intercalated plates yieldingly mounted in adjacent sections of the casing and capable of being energized while frictionally resisting the shocks imparted to the gear, said energized plates acting` to effect the initial release of the gear and being relatively movable with respect to the section of the casing in which they are mounted.

another object of the invention is to provide a shock absorbing mechanism of eX- ceedingly high capacity involving two series of plates having their inner portions intercalated for frictional and spring resistance, the outer ends of each series of plates vbeing rigidly united in greater spaced relation than the thiclmessof the plates, means being provided for flexing the inner free portions of the plates whereby they are caused to move in frictional engagement throughout thc length of travel of the gear, said means including oppositely disposed cam-like members which act to gradually increase the fri ctional resistance and sprin g action of the plates as the gear is moved to closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a friction shock absorbing mechanism for railway draft rigging which will smoothly transmit the forces to the gear with a gradually increasing resistance, said mechanism including relatively Vmovable casings operable between suitable stop members or draft lugs, means including a series of longitudinally disposed'plates carried by each casing,` and intercalated at their inner ends, means for rigidly uniting each series of plates at' their outer ends, means including a plurality of rollers and cooperating wedging faces for frictionally engaging the plates and progressively energizing them to effect initial movements of the casings upon release of thegear, and means interposed between each casing and its respective series of plates for permitting relative movement therebetween, said last named meansinvolving a spring adapted to move the intercalated inner ends of the plates from frictional engagement for restoring the same to normal position.

rlhe invention further consists in the production of a durable construction of shock absorbing` mechanism which can be readily tte-d within the draft rigging pocket, the two part casing of the gear serving to effectively house and support advantageously located friction and springelements whereby they can be maintained in service condition with comparatively small cost and minimum labor. v

'lhere are other objects of thefinvention which will appear from the more detailed description thereof when taken in connection with theV accompanying drawings which have been chosen to illustrate an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure lisa view in horizontal section of shock absorbing mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention, shown applied to a railway car draft rigging, said mechanism being shown in open or normal position.

Figure 2 .is a similar view showing the shock absorbing mechanism in closed position on bnffing movement of the gear.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line 3 3- of Figure 1, Vshowing the draft yoke and portion ofthe coupler in side elevation.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 41E-4 of Figure l, viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 5-#5 of Figure 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows, the center or ldraft sills being omitted.

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corre' spending parts in the several views, the invention is shown embodied in a shock absorbin@ mechanism positioned within the draft rigging pocket formed between the draft or center sills 1-1 having connected thereto the front stop members 2-2 and rear stop members 3MB. il v vertical yoke l is connected to the coupler the casings housing the draft gear being mounten Within the Ayolre and operable betweenthe "front and rear stop members with which they normally Contact, as shown in Figure 1.

lThe shoclr absorbing` mechanism includes a tivo-part casingv composedot a front section 6 and rear section 7, said sections or casings'being relativelv movable andcapable of Acontacting when the-.gear Ais closed, as illustrated in :Figure 2. Each casing 4is designed .to support a portiono'f the shock absorbing.machanisin which coacts with the remaining portion ot said :mechanism and, as both ot the cooperating series of elements in each portion ot the gear are similar, a description of but Aone Will be given .With the same reference characters designating the several elements of the other.

'The respective sections `6 and 'To'flthetwopartcasing are each yprovided with a series of `longitudinally disposed relatively thin spring .metal `plates 8 `forming Ithe friction elements, the `inner 4portions ot each series being .yielding'ly lmovable with respect to their outer Vendsand beingintercalated With the adjacent series asclearly shown in Fic;- uro l. The outermost plates 9 of each series are preferably longitudinally alined and are adapted Vto abut intermediate the Agear ,when 1t 1s closed7 as '-shoivn in Figure 2. The several `inside plates of each series are all preferably .intercalated and sufficiently spaced ;toiobtain a Vprogressively increasing spring resistance up tothe point ot the gear going solid. The relative spacing ot .the plates f8 is effected by inter-posing thin `plates or shims 10 thereby providing a relative spacing *greater .than the thickness of said plates 8 .and permitting of considerable ilexure in order ,to obtain very strong' spring resistance for initially releasingthe gear yvery rapidly Vwhen the :loads are removed.

The outer .ends .ot each series of Aplates or :friction elements S are rigidly connect :l together by means ot Ipins 11 passing therethrough and iiirmly securing thesame .to the plato supporting member or block 12. Each plate may 'be l'bent back `upon itself at its outer end, Vas shown, the space between the body portion offthe'plate and the bent baci; portion advantageously eceiving the ,shim 19. The outer endsfot'the `plates are 'firmly hel-.il between thefopposite'side walls ofthe member or block 12 in vwhich Walls the pin Lay .be riveted or otherwise secured. It will Vbe `observed that ktivo ot' 4the Youtermo-st plates 9 lare pro yided with relatively long bent hack portions whereby the intermediate or inside yplates are maintained in relative uniform interoalated relation and the` outer plates caused to operate in longitus dir-.al alinement thereby obtaining` the most etect-ive distribution ot vthe loads throughout the-gear.

`l,oojiieiatmg with the friction plates are tely arranged follower members 13 f, said members each being in the :t'orm a cam blo-ck having cam faces 15 and 16.

h, follower member is preferably cone-fl to a plate .member 1T by means of 18, said plate member having norlongitndinally alined Wing portions shown in Figure said Wing portions rating substantially in parallel relation 4ie nlates 8 and more especially the outerplates 9 with which they Contactin not i closed and open positions or" the gear. .lhe plate ijneinbers 117 -are yieldingly `operable with respect to :the respective ycam blocks 13 and 14, said plates :members flexing to the position shown in Figure 2 when transmitting the forces developed .in vthe closingo't the gear. Theintermediate `portion ot each plate member 'is preferably let into a cutaway Vportion provided in the cam block whereby it is effectively seated againstl the ite shoulders ot saidcutavvay portion tor resisting the longitudinal fvtorces imparted Ithereto and reducing the shear strains upon the rivets 18 `to a minimum.` lhe outer ends ot fthe `ring' portions ot the plate members `are adapted to Contact the wjacent portie-not the oppositely disposed lls r@intending from the cross members '12, when the gear is'closed, thereby permitting a portion oit the overload ot the gear to be trlr yn *by said members Whichlby reason ot r opposed inwarddetlection under comiononly serve to'increase the riotional ance ot the several plates. roller 2li-operates upon the cam faces 15 and 1G respectively7 said rollers .being prevented irom moving beyond said faces vby means o'l'the lip extensions Q1. "The rollers are rmaintained against said cam laces by ineansot Wedge portions and 23 provided respectively uponopposite Walls ot the sections 6 and 7 of thetivofpartcasing, the inner opposed faces o' said vWedge portions paralleling respectively the cam surfaces '15 and 16 ot the 'tollowernrembers or cam blocks 13 and 1l. Lip extensions 24k at the inner portons Iet 'the Wedge faces coact Wit-h the aforesaid lip lextensions 2l in vfmaintaining e rollers `in operative position for relative movement along the .diametrically opposed surfaces in inparting theloadsto the interealated plates and permitting their release. 4rllie rollers preferably extend substantially the tull Width ot the casing, as best shown in Figure. y

The means mounting each series of tricplates tor relative movement. vvih reaect to lthe casing section by `which it is supportedcomprises a leaf spring 25 having llO its opposite ends coiled about and connected to pins 26, the opposite ends of which pins are pivotally connected to linl; members 27. rlhe opposite ends of the link members 27 are pivotally connected by means of pins 28 t0 projections or lugs 2S) formed integral with the casing. rEhe foregoing construction permits of relative movement between the end wall of the casing and the cross member 12 supporting the plates, said leaf spring, however, while assisting in the release of the gear also acting to resist the loads imparted through said end wall and directed to the cross member which latter in turn is caused to gradually increase the resistance by reason of the friction plates being moved into closer contact through the action of the wedging surfaces causing the rollers to force the follower members toward each other.

ln receiving the buffing loads the forward section 6 of the casing moves rearwardly, the rollers and cooperating wedge and cam surfaces acting to force the follower inemberslB and 11i toward each otherv thereby causing the deflection of the plates from their normal comparatively loose or free relation to firm contacting vposition for establishing the friction resistance of the gear. The continued inward movement of the section 6 and the corresponding relative fixed position of the section 7 against the lrear stop members causes the gear to completely close, as indicated in Figure 2. On release the spring` and intercalated friction plates which have been considerably flexed by the preceding operation have been energized suhiciently toV release is effected through the coaction of the plates and leaf spring. 0n draft it will be observed that the same operation of the several elements contained within the casing section 7, taires place, the forward casing secti on being held against relative movement by the front stop members or draft lugs 2 2 The casing sections of the gear and more especially the outer side portions thereof at their inner opposed ends, are supported upon a cross strap or bar 30 the outer ends of which are bent upwardly and outwardly and then again upwardly, as bestshown in Figure l for snugly tting draft sills or center sills., Bolt and nut connections 3l firmly secure the strap to said sills. The intermein spaced diate portion of the strap is depressed to receive the yoke, said portion acting to support and guide the same in its movement under service conditions. It will be noted that the upwardly extending portions 0f the strap adjacent the portions supporting opposite si es ofl the casing sections are dispo-sed in vertical alinement with the car sills for further guiding the casing. While l have shown my invention incorporatedV in a friction shock absorbing unit and appliedto a railway draft rigging having a vertical yoke, it will be understood that it is applicable to other draft rigging arrangements such as the Farlow type of construction.

ln the present application of the invention it will be observed that the casing sections are relatively closely spaced from the center sills and that a large part of the load is imparted-through the rollers which are longitudinally alined with the respective front and rear stop members.

Having thus describedmy invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: i

l. A shock absorbing mechanism for railway draft rigging involving a casing composed of relatively movable sections, a series of longitudinally arranged intercalated friction elements having their outer ends rigidly connected at the front and rear ends of the casing, said connected ends being relatively movable with respect to an adjacent casing section and disposed in spaced relation for permitting flenure of the inner intercalated portions of the plates, means operable by either of said casing sections for flexing said inner portions of the elements for frictionally contacting each other, and means for causing relative longitudinal movement of the friction elements during their fleirure.

2. A shocl; absorbing mechanism for railway draft `rigging involving a casing having a plurality of relatively movable sections, a series of friction plates mounted in each section having their inner end portions intercalated with tl e inn r end portions of an adjacent series of pla os carried by other casing section, said intercalated plate j: rticns being normally positioned for lienure on closing movement of the mechanisn and means including `said casino sections imp.. relative move;A ent to the s also serving to flex the l into progressively increasing frictional contact during said movement.

fr shoclr absorbing mechanism for railway draft rigging including a casing composed of relatively movable sections, a series of yieldingly associated friction members mounted in each section, the outer end portions each se being rigidly connected relation and the inner end p0rtions of adjacent series being intercalated,

lili) Een lill

yieldine .nd frictional Contact, means for enicgae ient during` the relative sliding movement thereof, said last named means acting to yieldingly energize the inner portions of the friction members7 said energized portions serving' to separate the members from frictional engagement upon the release of the loads imparted to the mechanism.

5., A shoelr absorbing mecha iism for railway draft rigging involving plnro ity of yieldinfgly associated relativel';7 friction members lhaving portionsv hi-eef intercalated, means for'imparting` relative slidingmovements to said members and means for moving' the members into frictional Contact during the sliding movementthereof, said last nnmed means acting' to energize the yieldingly associated lniembers, said energization acting to initially separate the members from frictional Contact.

" A shock absorbing mechanism for rail- Way draft rigging inyolving a plnralilty of yieldingly associated relatively flat friction members, means for imparting relative slid-` ing movement to said members and means for yieldmgly moving the members into frictional contact during the relative sliding i movement thereof7 said last named means actingto energize the yieldingly mounted friction'members for effecting the initial separation thereof upon the release of the loads transmitted to the mechanism.

'i'. fr shock absorbing mechanism for railway draft rigging including' relatively movable casinos, a plurality of yielding. y mounted friction members positioned therein7 means movably connecting said friction members to the casings and adapted to maintain the same in relative fixed relation thereto, and means for moving` `portions of the yielding'ly mounted members into progressively increasing` frictional. engagemennsaid named means acting to energize the yieldable friction members for effecting the initial separation 'thereof and corresgending` relative moi' of the casings noon remem` lease of the oads, the means movably connecting 'the riction members and an adjanoname cent easing being caused to operate to move the friction members from engagement and restore them to normal position.

8. shock absorbi'nn' mechanism for lrailway draft rigging including relatively movable* casing-s each having inner opposed Wedg'ing faces, a plurality of yieldingly mounted intercalated friction members inlposed between said casings, means yieldi connecting;` the outer ends of the friemembers to an adjacent casing for che castings toast named means giring the yieldable friction members effecting the initial separation thereof corresponding' relative movement of the upon rse of the loads, the means -lingly connecting; the outer ends of the -on members to an adjacent casing beem'ized by relative movements of he for .nl sequently restoring the riction members to normal gosition followino; their initial separation.

9. fr shot-l: absorbing mechanism for railway draft rigging comprising relz'itively movable casings each having ii ner opposed wedging faces, a plurality .of yieldingly mounted intercaiated friction members,

means for rigidiy connect-ing the outer ends of said members, means includinga springfor yieldingly asociating said connected members with an adjacent casing, and means operable between the Wedgine' faces Yof the casing` and opposite sides of die yieldingly mounted intercalated friction members for pmgressiycly increasing the yielding` and frictional resistance of said members upon closure of t if' mechanism7 said friction membeing energized by the closure i-.iovement 1 the initial sonal-ation thereof and relative movement of one of the casingjs, said movement of the casingenergizing,- the spring yielding/ly associating the connected ends of the friction m mbers with an adjacent casingfor restoring the friction members to normal position following their initial separation.

l0. .Ashoolt absorbing' mechanism for railvfay draft rig 3;involving1 relatively moveable casings hating" opposed Wet-.ging faces, a 1ilnrality of yieloingly mounted intercalated friction members the outer ends of which are joined together for relative movement with respec to an adjacent casing, means for maintaininT the outer connected ends of said friction members in relatively fix-ed relation to the adjacent casing, and means for moving the intercalated portions of the friction members into progressively increasr= for effecti Sli) lUU

ing yielding and frictional engagement upon tional engagement, and means for. causing closing movement of the mechanism, said last named means including a plurality of rollers and associated cam blocks, each of said cam blocks having a yieldable member contacting the opposite sides of the intercalat-ed friction members.

v11. ln a railway draft rigging, the combination with center sills, of a coupler, a yolre connecting' said coupler, stop members connected to the center sills, and a shoclr absorbing mechanism interposed between said stop members, said mechanism involving relatively movable casings contacting said stop members, a plurality of intercalated friction members mounted in said casings and yieldingly associated for effecting the initial separation thereof and relative movement of the casings upon release of the loads, means operable between the sides of the casing adjacent the center sills and the opposite sides of the intercalated plates for progressively increasing the yielding and frictional resistance of said plates upon clocing movement of the mechanism, `and means yieldingly maintaining said plates in relatively fixed relation with an adjacent casing, said last named means being energized upon relative movement of the` casings for restoring the friction members to normal position and the casings Iagainst the stop members.

12. ln a railway draft rigging, the combination with center sills, of a coupler, a yoke connecting` said coupler, stop members connected to the center sills, a shock absorbing mechanism interposed between said stop members, said mechanism I involving relatively movable casings contacting said stop members, a plurality of intercalated friction members mounted in said casings and yieldably associated for effecting the initial separation thereof and" relative movement of the casings upon release of the loads, means operable between the sides of the casing adjacent the center sills and the opposite sides of the intercalated plates for progressively increasing the yielding and frictional resistance of said plates upon closing movement of the mechanism, means connected to said center sills for supporting the inner ends of the relatively movable casings, and means yieldingly connecting the outer end of each casing with the adjacent ends of the intercalated friction members, said last named means acting to separate said members and restore the casings to normal contacting` position with the stop members.

13. A shock absorbing mechanism for railway draft rigging involving a casing composed of relatively movable sections, a series of longitudinally arranged intercalated friction elements, means operable by any one of said casing sections for flexing portions of the friction elements into fricrelative movement of the friction elements during their flexure.

lil. A shock absor ing mechanism for railway draft rigging comprising relatively movable casings, a plurality of yieldingly mounted friction members positioned therein and yicldably carried by the end `alle thereof, means acting to move said friction members longitudinally in interlitting relation, and wedge mea-ns `within the casings outwardly of said friction members for a ning the latter inte prog "ssively increasing frictional engagement during longitudinal movement 'thereofn 15.- li shock absorbing mechanism for railway draft rigging comprising relatively movable casings, series of intcrcalated plates having spring connection with the ends of the casings, means for moving a casing with respect to the other for sliding' the plates relatively in a longitudinal direction, and means located outwardly of the series of plates and inwardly of the respective casings for applying lateral pressure against opposite sides of the plates and `lening the same for progressively increasing the frietional resistance during longitudinal movement.

16. ln a draft rigging, a shook absorbing mechanism comprising similar casings, similar series of intercalated plates extending longitudinally thereof and having spring connection with the ends thereof, means for moving a casing longitudinally with respect to the other for sliding the plates, pressure members located outwardly of theseries of plates and extending into both casings, and wedge means for forcing said pressure members laterally toward each other for flexing the plates and progressively increasing the frictional engagement thereof simultaneously with longitudinal movement thereof.

17. ln a draft rigging, a shock absorbing mechanism comprising casings, a series of spring plates within each casing and projecting into the other, theadjacent ends of said plates being arranged in interfitting relation, spring means passing through the outer ends of said plates and anchored to the ends of the casings for permanently connecting the series of plates with the casings while permitting relative longitudinal movement, means for moving the casings and plates relatively in a longitudinal direction, and means located between the series of plates and the casings for applying lateral pressure to the former for flexing the same and progressively increasing the frictional engagement thereof simultaneously with the longitudinal movement.

18. A shocl absorbing mechanism for draft rigging, comprising a pair of similar casings, a series of friction plates mounted Withini eaclrl casing andi projecting into tne otherg tlie innen ends of said` friction plates being arranged in interitting relation, spring means extending transversely ot the outer end'A portion ot eecli casing and connected Witii the adjacent series. oit friction plates for permitting yielding of the series with respect to the casing Witliinovvliieh it is niounted5 means tor movingV the casing-3 relatively, and Wedge operated means Within the respective casings` engaging against opposite sides of the interiitting friction plates 'or flexing the same into engagement andV progressively increasing the riction proportionate tothe degree of longitudinal movement:

19. ln :t draft rigging, Vslioclr absorbinv means comprising a; pair ot casings, a series O `friction plates Witriin eaclr casing en- -tendin0' longitudinali thereof tlie 'iiates t) D i carriet'i by lboth cesings being in interlitAf ng relatiorn transversely arranged leaf springs Witliintlie ends oi'tlie c g thereto, means connected with tlie springs andk engaging the `triction plates 'or permitting yielding tliereoif a unit with respect to the casing Wit-hin Wliiclrtliey are mounted, means for moving tiie casings relatively in a longitudinal direction, and

igeoegsrei cam meansl for applying ltxteral' pressure upon the int'erlittmg plates l'or flexing the same into. rictional. engagement simultaneously Witlrlongitudinalimovement.

20. In a railway draft rigging, sliocir absorbing meanscomprisingv a pair of oasings capable ot relative movement, series yolizintercalated spring pliites'resiliently mounted Within tieresliectiye casings, slioe'members locatedfontwardly of the friction plates and extending into1 lootli caeingsr the end: portions ot saidl slioo4 members being orined n'itliin tlie cesingsvfitln cmi su;fases7 the confronting iortions ofV tlie casings being formed Witn cam surfaces, ineensv 1for moving the cee-ings rdatix'eiy in. a longitudinal direction,. and .means interposed between the oamlsnrfaces ontheslioe members and sistance proportionately tothe longitudinal movement. n

in testimony Wliereo I' aiiinV my signa'e ture.

CYR-US J@ NATHAN l-OLLAND; 

